THE PROGRESS OF GRAPE CULTURE. 



The cultivation of the grape, under glass, has received an 

 unusual share of attention from our cultivators during the last 

 fifteen or twenty years. For a long time previously, various 

 attempts were made to cultivate it successfully in the open 

 air; many zealous amateurs spared neither time nor pains to 

 accomplish such a result, and it was confidently believed, from 

 the character of our climate, that it could be as well done 

 here as in France, where its growth had arrived at such a 

 high state of perfection. But such fond anticipations were not 

 realized ; occasionally an experiment was successful, owing 

 to some favored locality or unusual treatment ; but it became 

 apparent that, although our temperature, during summer, was 

 ample, the dryness of our atmosphere was prejudicial, and our 

 winters altogether too severe for the vines, rendering their 

 protection indispensable at that season. The latter cause 

 alone, however, would not probably have been a formidable 

 objection to its cultivation ; for, though a somewhat laborious 

 operation, this could have been overcome. The fatal obsta- 

 cle was their liability to mildew. No art could wholly 

 obviate this. By careful treatment, the evil was alleviated ; 

 but, so uncertain was the crop, it soon became evident that 

 its out-door culture must be abandoned, and artificial means 

 resorted to if we would possess this delicious fruit in all its 

 excellence. 



This point once settled, enthusiastic amateurs turned their 

 attention to its growth under glass, and with great success: 

 they soon satisfied those who doubted, of the most favorable 

 results, by the beauty, the excellence, and the abundance of 

 the crops. Its culture spread, slowly at first, but gradually 

 gained ground, until, with the increased attention given to 

 horticulture in all its J^ranches, it became one of the most 

 important objects wherever the art of culture was carried to 



VOL. XXII. NO. IV. 20 



